Archive for August 2009

“The CRRA has rightly extinguished its ash landfill proposal — heeding the public and preserving a pristine, rural environment from irreparable destruction. This decision is smart and sensitive to the public interest and environmental values. We owe citizen activists and advocates a debt of gratitude for their courage and conviction in this fight. “Reasonably affordable[continue reading…]

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has launched an online discussion forum to receive public input on the future priorities for EPA’s national enforcement program. The public will be able to provide feedback through the EPA Web site until December 1, giving them a forum to submit ideas for EPA to consider for new[continue reading…]

In the pleasant town of East Hampton along the shores of Lake Pocotopaug, which has long been known as the witch hazel capital of the world, Americans have practiced sustainability successfully for more than a century. via Prize Witch Hazel Crop Keeps Connecticut Company Afloat — Courant.com.

After 12 months, Utah’s experiment has been deemed so successful that a new acronym could catch on: TGIT (thank God it’s Thursday). The state found that its compressed workweek resulted in a 13% reduction in energy use and estimated that employees saved as much as $6 million in gasoline costs. Altogether, the initiative will cut[continue reading…]

The Press Republican is reporting on a dam removal project in Fort Covington, NY, that has created rift in waterway for public and wildlife. The Connecticut firm of Milone and MacBroom Inc. designed the project, and Tatro Construction of Vermont conducted the demolition. The Lost River Society, called a news conference to bring attention to[continue reading…]

The political opposition to an ash landfill on the Shetucket River in Franklin proved too much for the Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority, which announced Thursday that it would remove the site from consideration. The state’s trash authority said it would consider disposing of ash at other landfills, both in and out of state. via Franklin[continue reading…]

To restore a lobster population decimated in the die-off, the Bertolfs said more aggressive intervention is needed to eliminate what they believe is the illegal harvesting of egg-bearing female lobsters and curb damage caused by commercial clam dredges disturbing the sea floor. via Lobster population decline prompts stricter protections – NewsTimes.com.

In a small wooded section of northwest Greenwich, tiny weevils have been busily eating their way through the mile-a-minute vine in an experiment to see if the invasive plant can be controlled. But the weevil is itself a non-native species to North America, and scientists warn that great care must be taken when foreign species[continue reading…]

The Green Party of Connecticut called on the General Assembly to reform the “Clean Elections” Law ,which was struck down as unconstitutional by the Federal Court, as soon as possible, and not appeal the ruling to other courts, which would cost the taxpayers more money in legal fees and could take months in the courts.[continue reading…]

When it rains around Candlewood Lake, the runoff carries a little bit of the world with it into the lake — road salt, automobile grease and oil, lawn fertilizer, sediment, bacteria. via Report urges protection of Candlewood Lake’s watershed – NewsTimes.com.

Among the many unusual foods grown, raised or produced in the state, Urban Oaks Farm in New Britain, Connecticuts grows 350 pouunds of grapefruit a year, as well as Asian lemon grass; Roman mint; brown Indian cucumbers called poona kheera and Sikkim. via Connecticut Dining – In Season – Exotic Foods Growing at Connecticut Farms[continue reading…]

The Los Angeles Times reported Tuesday that the world’s largest business lobby is pushing the Environmental Protection Agency to hold a public hearing to defend its endangerment finding, which determined that greenhouse gases are pollutants that pose a threat to public health and welfare and can therefore be regulated by the EPA under the Clean[continue reading…]

SOUTHINGTON — A developer has presented plans for a 44-unit housing subdivision that will preserve 29 acres as open space but would eliminate a temporary cul-de-sac. via Plan for 44-unit subdivision includes open space – The Bristol Press.

SEYMOUR — The first selectman has ordered the town’s Water Pollution Control Authority to give notice of any future tree clearings. The order stems from a controversy over the WPCA’s decision earlier this year to cut down dozens of trees on Birchwood Road. via WPCA ordered to give notice on tree clearing – The New[continue reading…]

Water quality in Long Island Sound this summer, as measured by dissolved oxygen, is still better than it has been, on average, for two decades. via Water Quality in Recent Weeks| thissphere.blogspot.com.

ArtFarm, a non-profit organization that produces “Shakespeare in the Grove” and “Circus for a Fragile Planet,” has been looking for six years for a farm in Middletown on which to combine arts, environmental education and small-scale agriculture. They envision the ArtFarm to be a theatre, a small organic farm, and a retreat workshop center for[continue reading…]

State Sen. Edith Prague, D-Columbia, a strong opponent of the Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority during months of battle over the Franklin site, is siding with the agency on the matter of regulating the Putnam ash landfill site operated by Wheelabrator Technologies Inc. CRRA and Attorney General Richard Blumenthal are calling for the site to be[continue reading…]